Thanks everyone for the info, as I said I will rule out the 8" just in case I ever achieve that 400 hp range. I actually have access to some explorer rear ends also at the local salvage yard where my daughter works, I know they would have to be a V8 explorer for the 8.8 rear end. Are there certain years that are better to look for? Whatever rear I choose will probably get narrowed some, I would like to run a little deeper dish wheel in the back. 31 spline axles and traction-loc sounds intriguing. I definitely will also be putting in c clip eliminators etc. Don't worry about the spelling, we're all just here to talk about our cars! I appreciate all the input!
all explorers had 8.8s. i think disk brakes were an option in the pre 95s. the trick to use the explorer is to get a second passenger side axle shaft and have the drivers side shordened by 2.88 inches. then the diff becomes pinion centered and just a little bit narrower than the maverick diff. if your into off roading or know some one who is you can get two diffs. make one short as describe and make the other one long by switching ends and axles. gear sets are not switchable between axle types. an 8" can only use use 8" gears, etc, etc.
As Bryant stated, all Explorer's (and Mountaineers) had the 8.8. Some got discs, some got drums. Ditto for the trac-loc units. The one I used in my Ranger had 3.73's, trac-loc and drums. Think it was a 94 rear. I narrowed it and used 9" bearing housings to get rid of the C-clip axles.
Got my 8.8 this winter, now I'm going to get another for the short tube and axle. I found another but this one is 3.73 with traction loc.
Is there a thread or website with Maverick Maniac's brake items or guide? The Dude is adamant about converting at least the front (but preferably all four) as one of the first safety "things" before I get the new car on the road. I never did the conversion on my last Comet: drums all around made braking quite, hm, interesting at times. What years should I look for? I originally wanted an Explorer rear; I'm not expecting bolt-on but I figure some years would be easier than others. Any other common junkyard-find Ford rears I should look into?
If you're going to narrow a 9" rear, then it makes no difference what vehicle you pull it from. The only direct fit 9's are from the Granada/Versailles/Monarch or the 57-59 Fords. Not to mention the hard to find units from the 65 to 70 Mustang/Cougars or the 60's Fairlane/Torino/Comet (mid size Fords & Mercs) The 8.8 Exploder/Mountaineer rear is the hot ticket today due to the 31 spline axles and trac-loc unit and the disc brakes (not all have em though, not that you really need rear discs, big drums in the rear are fine for 99% of driving)
i dont know about the rear addition of discs, but the front disc conversion made the grabber a WHOLE new car for stopping. how much are 8.8 at the wrecking yard on average?
The Exploder 8.8's go for around $250. There's tons there to choose from now, hence the low price. I paid $150 for mine from a yard just down the road from me 4-5 years ago. 3.73/drums/trac-loc from a 94 Exploder.
If you have a local yard that will let you pull it yourself I'd figure $120.00 on up, it all depends on the yard. http://www.pullapart.com is where I got the price from. What I've learned from people responding to this post was to get the 8.8 out of an Explorer rather than an LSC or Mustang because the Explorer rears have 31 spine axles and plus you may find a traction loc rear while your looking. I got a really clean 8.8 rear with disc brakes this past winter and now I'd like to get another so I can use the short tube and axle to finish it all up.
Would I need to get new rims if I got the Exploder rear? Otherwise do all the linkages bolt right up or with minor modification? Can I also get front disc brakes from the same SUV or where would I find those?
Rims? Mayne, depending on what you have now. Linkage? You'll need to figure out the parking brake cable attachments and a brake hose replacement from the rear to the body line.
